Blue and White in Basel

For the third time, the College's Pipes & Drums accepted an invitation to perform at the Basel Tattoo, joining three other international civilian bands to form up in the Massed Pipes & Drums. They stood alongside the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Victoria Regiment. Over nine days, top international groups, royal guards, world champions and the Top Secret Drum Corps thrilled audiences in the barracks courtyard of the historic Kaserne. More than 200,000 people attended the performances and grand parade across the tattoo's 20th anniversary season, a celebration that spread through the entire city of Basel.

The anniversary show brought together highlights not seen before on the Basel Tattoo Arena stage. For the first time, two formations from the British Household Division, the Band of the Irish Guards and the Band of the Scots Guards, performed together. Audiences also watched the Blue Devils International Corps from the USA, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and the Massed Pipes & Drums. More than 130 dancers from Canada's Canadiana Celtic Highland Dancers and the USA's Kilgore College Rangerettes took the stage too, alongside the precise drill of His Majesty's The King's Guard Band from Norway and top musicians from the Swiss Military and the armed forces of Finland.

Particularly memorable moments came from Scottish singer Cammy Barnes and the Top Secret Drum Corps, who presented an exclusive anniversary act together with the Blue Devils. Five world champions also performed, across the disciplines of Drum Major, Irish Dance, Highland Dance, Tenor Drumming and Bagpipes.

Head of Pipes and Drums Andrew Lightfoot reflected on what the return meant for the band. “Returning to Switzerland to perform in the 20th anniversary Basel Tattoo was something very special for all of us. The enthusiasm of the audience, the standing ovations, the outstanding performances of everyone involved, and the unique atmosphere in the famous city of Basel made this an unforgettable experience.”

Getting to Basel was itself a significant undertaking. The tattoo's strict age requirements and the very stringent standards expected of piping, drumming and marching drill meant close collaboration with the College's Alumni Pipe Band. That partnership has now underpinned all three of the group's visits to Switzerland.

With well preserved Roman ruins, medieval cobbled streets, and architecture spanning the 17th century through to the ultra-modern, Basel had plenty to offer students during their two and a half week stay, alongside more than forty museums to explore. Once rehearsals were done and evening performances began, the band had time during the day to explore further afield. Students took a boat trip across Lake Lucerne to visit the city of Lucerne and the village of Seelisberg. On another trip, they travelled up through alpine forest and meadow on the 140-year-old cogwheel railway to Schynige Platte, taking in views across Lakes Thun and Brienz, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau standing clear on the horizon.